4 Nights in Milwaukee....what to do?

[mu_hilltopper]

If it's just the two of you, I can't say I'd recommend a pontoon cruise .. big group and drinking?  Sure.

I'd go with a historic one, like those here:  http://mkeboat.com/sightseeing/

That being said, the cruise takes you around the MKE river and into the harbor a bit, with some history lessons.  Make no mistake, this is not some A+ amazing view cruise .. the MKE river is full of old, rusting warehouses/new condos.   Not that amazing.

Marquette usually offers a Miller brewery tour .. can't go wrong there.

If German food floats your boat, try Maders downtown.  Right next to the Bradley Center, where MU plays basketball.

If seafood is your thing .. Harbor House is on the lakefront, great views, patio.

Oh, and btw .. "it's cooler near the lake" should be noted.  It could be 62 at Lake Michigan, 70 at MU, 80, 10 miles further west.

[keefe]

It's too bad Lenny's is closed. I would have recommended he and his wife hit Lenny's at 2100 and drink there until closing. Get to meet some of the locals, savor the taste of PBR, and maybe throw back a shot or two of cheap rye - all for under $20. Then they could slam into Real Chili for a couple of bowls then go back to the dorm and have some sloppy drunken sex. That is the Full Meal Deal Marquette Experience crammed into one night.

[keefe]

I'm available for guided tours of the former Crean dump in The Quon.

4ever

I thought the Crean dump was in Nawlins back in '03??

[jsglow]

It's too bad Lenny's is closed. I would have recommended he and his wife hit Lenny's at 2100 and drink there until closing. Get to meet some of the locals, savor the taste of PBR, and maybe throw back a shot or two of cheap rye - all for under $20. Then they could slam into Real Chili for a couple of bowls then go back to the dorm and have some sloppy drunken sex. That is the Full Meal Deal Marquette Experience crammed into one night.

Don't let keefe frighten you too much.  He's just reliving his days.  Few (okay, slightly less than 50%) partied as professionally as he did.

One other genuine suggestion.  If you are able, I'd recommend the Ambassador hotel.  She's a beautifully restored art deco treasure owned by some MU alums (not me or any personal friend) just west of campus.  During Orientation it'll be expensive but I do recommend it on some return trip.  Back in my day 30 years ago rooms could be had by the hour as the hookers walked the streets.  Now she's restored to her original elegance and serves as a solid anchor for a revitalized Avenues West neighborhood your beloved will call home for the next four years.  I support those risk taking guys every chance I get.  Please consider doing the same. 

Again, welcome to the family.   

[keefe]

I've been reading a wide range of posts over the last few months on MUScoop and what can I say, there are lots of characters posting here.  Because of that, I'd like to see if I can get an eclectic range of entertainment ideas for my wife and I when we drop our daughter off at MU for freshman orientation this August.  I expect once orientation starts she will have little time for us, so what to do?  We're from California which means we know just a little about Milwaukee.  I was there briefly for my daughter's official visit so I got to know things I wanted to know, mainly about safety around the campus, Third Ward, downtown around Hotel Metro.  Where else can we find "local color" that is legit for great food or music or "of interest" ? 

Seriously, if you are a golfer then you need to experience Blackwolf Run. It was designed by Pete Dye and has 36 holes. I have played Spyglass, Pebble Beach, Cypress, Spanish Bay, and Torrey in CA and Blackwolf is the equal of any of these. I would strongly recommend a day at Blackwolf over museums and booze cruises. A word of warning: bring plenty of balls.

[jsglow]

Seriously, if you are a golfer then you need to experience Blackwolf Run. It was designed by Pete Dye and has 36 holes. I have played Spyglass, Pebble Beach, Cypress, Spanish Bay, and Torrey in CA and Blackwolf is the equal of any of these. I would strongly recommend a day at Blackwolf over museums and booze cruises. A word of warning: bring plenty of balls.

Wonderful suggestion.  And Mrs. MUBillsTil'17 can enjoy the greatest collection of bathroom fixtures God has ever created if she's not chasing the little white ball with you.

[mugrad2006]

Don't let keefe frighten you too much.  He's just reliving his days.  Few (okay, slightly less than 50%) partied as professionally as he did.

One other genuine suggestion.  If you are able, I'd recommend the Ambassador hotel.  She's a beautifully restored art deco treasure owned by some MU alums (not me or any personal friend) just west of campus.  During Orientation it'll be expensive but I do recommend it on some return trip.  Back in my day 30 years ago rooms could be had by the hour as the hookers walked the streets.  Now she's restored to her original elegance and serves as a solid anchor for a revitalized Avenues West neighborhood your beloved will call home for the next four years.  I support those risk taking guys every chance I get.  Please consider doing the same. 

Again, welcome to the family.   

On top of that, if you are signed up for Groupon/LivingSocial/Travelzoo the Ambassador comes up fairly often as a deal.  I'd check if they black out move in week but would be worth a check.

[Eldon]

The booze cruise/edeilweiss cruises are awesome.  Awesome views of the city. 

Also check out

Kopps frozen custard (out in the burbs)
and/or Leon's frozen custard (27th st and Oklahoma ave on the south side)

Bay View over on KK and Lincoln has some cool spots
Jazz in the park downtown (thursday evenings?)
Cathedral Square and Milwaukee street downtown are pretty nice
Brady Street
There's some cool places in Walker's Point
Pier Wisconsin
The Domes on the southside are cool
The (Calatrava) Art Museum
And also comedysportz (I know it's in a bunch of cities and mid-major cities, but it started in Milwaukee)

Also if you can, keep an eye out for two of Milwaukee's most popular citizens
1) Milverine
2) Brother Ron (black and white station wagon Jesus/dead fetuses guy)

[mu_hilltopper]

Whoa .. never heard of the Milverine.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xYJpFa6R8w

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buckley's right by your hotel is a nice little restaurant/bar on Cass in the summer, where it is more of a sidewalk bistro.  Nice brunch. Awesome bloodies. About a five block walk. Make reservations as sitting is limited.  On the corner of E. Wells & N. Cass.
http://buckleysmilwaukee.com/

Go to the Sail Loft for drinks right on the water in the Third Ward.  Food and service are mediocre but view nice:  Can pick up a walk/bike trail there to the lake, festival grounds.    
http://www.milwaukeesailloft.com/

Also, Cafe Hollander is in not in the Third Ward. It is in Tosa or Murray Hill.  Its sister, Cafe Benelux, is the spot in the summer upstairs on the roof deck.  Catty corner from the Public Market.   http://www.cafebenelux.com/

I also like Swig for some small plates and wine as weekend music is usually playing right outside on Broadway if the Third Ward has a street fair going: http://swigmilwaukee.com/

Great Lakes Distillery:  
http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/

Besides the Fests, Milwaukee has some very nice small theater events.  Buzz to appear with Jay Mohr at the Pabst on August 16:   http://www.pabsttheater.org/events

NorCal or SoCal?  

[MUfan12]

I'd add a stop at Glorioso's to the list. Great Italian deli and grocery on Brady Street. It's easy to kill some time in there, especially over lunch.

[keefe]

I'd add a stop at Glorioso's to the list. Great Italian deli and grocery on Brady Street. It's easy to kill some time in there, especially over lunch.

Glorioso's. That is a blast from the past. Very nice Italian deli. There is also a great Italian place called Palermo's. The owner's kid is Peter DeLuca who went to Marquette. Probably one of the best pizzas anywhere.

There was also a great bar called Von Trier's on the east side. Great selection of German biers. Not sure if it's still there but if so then definitely worth a visit. My wife liked to go to the Oriental Theatre which was an art house; we would hit Von Trier's afterward.

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Karl Ratzsch's. I always thought this the very best restaurant in Milwaukee. Well, after Real Chili, that is.

[mugrad2006]

Glorioso's. That is a blast from the past. Very nice Italian deli. There is also a great Italian place called Palermo's. The owner's kid is Peter DeLuca who went to Marquette. Probably one of the best pizzas anywhere.

There was also a great bar called Von Trier's on the east side. Great selection of German biers. Not sure if it's still there but if so then definitely worth a visit. My wife liked to go to the Oriental Theatre which was an art house; we would hit Von Trier's afterward.

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Karl Ratzsch's. I always thought this the very best restaurant in Milwaukee. Well, after Real Chili, that is.

Von Trier is still there.  Has had a facelift but stays true to the German heritage.  Oriental is great as well, seeing the organ play prior to the 7 pm shows Friday and Saturday is a treat.

I'm guessing nobody has mentioned Karl Ratzsch's because frankly, it's not any good anymore.  Food is average, place isn't that clean, and the staff isn't anything spectacular.  Last time I was there the uniforms looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks, which shows the lack of attention to detail.

[keefe]

Von Trier is still there.  Has had a facelift but stays true to the German heritage.  Oriental is great as well, seeing the organ play prior to the 7 pm shows Friday and Saturday is a treat.

I'm guessing nobody has mentioned Karl Ratzsch's because frankly, it's not any good anymore.  Food is average, place isn't that clean, and the staff isn't anything spectacular.  Last time I was there the uniforms looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks, which shows the lack of attention to detail.

I am sorry to hear that about Ratzsch's. Back in the day it was a world-class restaurant. Between Mader's and Ratzsch's there was no question as to which was the better. I have not eaten there in 30 years so forgive my lack of situational awareness.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

What!!?  No mention of a Midnight snack at George Webb's?  Last time I was in Milwaukee I noticed they put up a sign commemorating us
" Pay for Food  First after 10 P.M."   Kind of took the spice out of dining there.

[keefe]

What!!?  No mention of a Midnight snack at George Webb's?  Last time I was in Milwaukee I noticed they put up a sign commemorating us
" Pay for Food  First after 10 P.M."   Kind of took the spice out of dining there.

I'm ashamed to say I was an unwitting member of a group Chew and Screw from George Webb's. We had a softball team sponsored by The Harp and after a post game drinking marathon at least 12 of us slammed into Webb's at 0230. One table decided to do a runner, much to everyone's surprise, which triggered a domino effect. Guys were taking their jerseys off as they ran out the door as our names were on the back of what were clearly Harp unis. Fortunately The Harp sponsored several teams so we had some deniability. Webb's notified the authorities who contacted The Harp. The bar owner of course knew it was us since we were drinking that night at The Harp. He didn't give us up but he was pretty pissed off, actually. Looking back I don't blame him one bit. We ended up winning our league and the trophy was given a place of honor so I think he forgave us. I wonder if that trophy is still there?  

[Sunbelt15]

Any riverboat casinos in Milwaukee?

[mu_hilltopper]

No riverboat, but no one has mentioned Potawatomi Casino .. conveniently located a mile from campus.

[keefe]

No riverboat, but no one has mentioned Potawatomi Casino .. conveniently located a mile from campus.

Isn't that the entity said to be involved in the loss of the Warrior? If so, then we should not champion their services.

[mu_hilltopper]

Isn't that the entity said to be involved in the loss of the Warrior? If so, then we should not champion their services.

I can't confirm or reject that .. but if memory serves, it wasn't them, it was another tribe in northern Wisconsin.

[MUBillsTil2017]

These suggestions are exactly what I've been looking for, except ZiggyFryBoy's titty bars, but thanks for them all.  I kind of figured if he saw the thread I'd get that from the guy who said "where were the nekked natives" on some other thread.  Not that there is anything wrong with titty bars or nekked natives, just not this trip.

Dr. Blackheart, we're from Norcal in the East Bay near San Francisco.  My daughter is one of three from the local schools matriculating to Marquette and she is a lucky one to be a recruit too. 

Someone mentioned attending the convocation on Wednesday afternoon.  We won't miss that but Thursday, Friday and maybe Saturday we'll check out some of these places.  The bowling ally, Harley D museum, riverboat cruise, brewery tours and that cabin country outside of Milwaukee all sound good.  Sounds like the town has lots to offer over the next 4 years.  Real Chili is a must do and  I imagine the bars will be going full tilt by Thursday & Friday night.  Which have been popular with the students? 

[77ncaachamps]

These suggestions are exactly what I've been looking for, except ZiggyFryBoy's titty bars, but thanks for them all.  I kind of figured if he saw the thread I'd get that from the guy who said "where were the nekked natives" on some other thread.  Not that there is anything wrong with titty bars or nekked natives, just not this trip.

Dr. Blackheart, we're from Norcal in the East Bay near San Francisco.  My daughter is one of three from the local schools matriculating to Marquette and she is a lucky one to be a recruit too. 

Someone mentioned attending the convocation on Wednesday afternoon.  We won't miss that but Thursday, Friday and maybe Saturday we'll check out some of these places.  The bowling ally, Harley D museum, riverboat cruise, brewery tours and that cabin country outside of Milwaukee all sound good.  Sounds like the town has lots to offer over the next 4 years.  Real Chili is a must do and  I imagine the bars will be going full tilt by Thursday & Friday night.  Which have been popular with the students? 

HEY! NorCal MU Folk!

Did you guys receive an invitation to the MU Giants - Cubs game in July (I think)?

San Jose alum here.

BTW, Leon's Custard stand (http://leonsfrozencustard.us/) was the inspiration for Arnold's in Happy Days (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6D16_Leons_Happy_Days_Milwaukee_WI).

Custard: the one treat Californians NEVER get right.

[keefe]

I imagine the bars will be going full tilt by Thursday & Friday night.  Which have been popular with the students? 

Bills,

Unfortunately you are too late to experience two of the finest watering holes to ever offer chilled beverages to slake the thirst of a parched community. The brick and mortar of the Lanche and Lenny's are gone...but the memories remain...

The Lanche was that worn plantation house fallen on hard times, glimpses of her former glory straining against faded chintz, the yellowed chandeliers from Paris no longer illuminating splendid gentlemen in gray, settled uncomfortably on the veranda for the next mint julep while rehashing that field and Pickett's failure and the agony of what might have been, as the rustle of hooped skirts reverberates through darkened hallways hinting at the salacious, but the only life is in the Spanish Moss draped capriciously on gnarled cypress.

Lenny's was the tar paper shack out on the Bayou, beyond the critical gaze of the censuring eye, where the gentility slithered off at dusk to join the unwashed indulging earthier hungers, the sharp twang of the blues resonates off tin, the sorrow and pity of those words adding depth, richness, and meaning to the bourbon, there is loss but few regrets and certainly no remorse, where a man's soul is darker than the waters outside with desires more venomous than the cotton mouth, a place where dreams swirl in a monotonous languor bereft of hope.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

These suggestions are exactly what I've been looking for, except ZiggyFryBoy's titty bars, but thanks for them all.  I kind of figured if he saw the thread I'd get that from the guy who said "where were the nekked natives" on some other thread.  Not that there is anything wrong with titty bars or nekked natives, just not this trip.

Dr. Blackheart, we're from Norcal in the East Bay near San Francisco.  My daughter is one of three from the local schools matriculating to Marquette and she is a lucky one to be a recruit too. 

Someone mentioned attending the convocation on Wednesday afternoon.  We won't miss that but Thursday, Friday and maybe Saturday we'll check out some of these places.  The bowling ally, Harley D museum, riverboat cruise, brewery tours and that cabin country outside of Milwaukee all sound good.  Sounds like the town has lots to offer over the next 4 years.  Real Chili is a must do and  I imagine the bars will be going full tilt by Thursday & Friday night.  Which have been popular with the students? 

no harm, no foul...enjoy your weekend in the Milw.

but if you find a need of a guide...

[BrewCity83]

If you like live music, we have some really great old historic downtown concert venues and there are alot of shows booked, and the prices are usually between $15-$30 per show...

http://pabsttheater.org/

The same group runs all 3 venues, the Pabst Theater, the Riverside Theater, and Turner Hall and they are all within about 2-3 blocks of each other in the heart of downtown.